Sheet unstacking and fanning machine



Aug. 5, 1969 c. R. HUNTWORK SHEET UNSTACKING AND FANNING MACHINE 3 Sheets-$heet 1 Filed Sept. 8. 1967 MBO INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS C. R. HUNTWORK SHEET UNSTACKING AND FANNING MACHINE Aug. 5, 1969 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 8. 1967 RAYMOND HUNTWORK MAHONEY, MILLER a R M80 BY w ATTORNEYS 5, 1969 c. R. HUNTWORK 3,459,420

SHEET UNSTACKING AND FANNING MACHINE Filed Sept. 8, 1967 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Q I" 23-."'1" 1R. v 0 g mmi CLAUDE RAYMOND HUNTWORK m MAHONEY, MILLER 8 R BO 12 H BY ATTORNEYS United. States Patent O U.S. Cl. 271-45 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A machine for receiving a stack or bundle of sheets, such as sheets of paper, which are stacked or bundled in face-to-face contact and which are supplied to the machine as a stack or bundle of upright sheets resting on one edge which continuously and progressively feeds the bundle or stack forwardly and which simultaneously fans out the lower edge portions of the leading sheets and positions them in a layer of substantially horizontal but forwardly and downwardly inclined sheets with the leading edges of the succeeding sheets in longitudinally spaced relationship.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF MACHINE The machine includes a variable rat-e sectional conveyor arrangement comprising a first or feed conveyor and a second receiving and discharge conveyor, which are so arranged that the discharge end of the first conveyor overlaps the receiving end of the second conveyor and the latter is dirven at a relatively faster speed than the first conveyor. The result is that as the sheets are moved by the first conveyor onto the second conveyor, the lower edges of the sheets, as they are subjected to the second conveyor, are advanced faster than their upper edges and this action is facilitated by some means which exerts a force adjacent the upper edges of the sheets to retard their advance. This advancing of the lower edges of the sheets faster than their upper edges causes the succeeding advancing sheets to be fanned out forwardly and downwardly into a horizontal layer resting on the second conveyor, having each succeeding sheet with its leading or forward edge disposed below and rearwardly of the forward edge of the preceding sheet and uniformly spaced therefrom in a fanned relationship. To further facilitate the unstacking and fanning, exposed side edges of the sheets are subjected to air jets as they move onto the second conveyor to produce a fluffing action. At the discharge end of the discharge conveyor a suitable take-off may be provided for removing the successively advanced individual sheets.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings, there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of this machine but it is to be understood that details may be varied without departing from basic principles of the invention.

In these drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a schematic view of the machine in longitudinal vertical section taken along line 1-1 of FIG- URE 2',

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the machine taken from the position indicated at line 22 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 20: is a transverse vertical sectional view taken along line 2a-2a of F IGU RE 2.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged, vertical longitudinal sectional view taken at line 33 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a longitudinal side elevational view taken at the position indicated by line 4-4 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 5 is a transverse, vertical sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIGURE 2.

3,459,420 Patented Aug. 5, 1969 FIGURE 6 is an enlarged schematic view showing the unstacking and fanning operation which occurs where the two conveyors overlap.

FIGURE 7 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged transverse vertical sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIGURE 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS With reference to the drawings, and specifically to FIGURES 1 and 2, the machine of this invention is shown as comprising generally in succession relative to the movement of sheets therethrough the feed conveyor 11, the receiving conveyor 12, the two conveyros having their adjacent ends ovrelapping, the air jet sheet-fiufilng unit 13 disposed at the location where the two conveyors overlap, and the take-off unit 14. All of these units are supported on suitable frame structures which are indicated at the forward or loading end of the machine as the legs 16 which support the laterally spaced, longitudinally extending, parallel beams 17 and at the rear or discharge end of the machine as the laterally spaced, parallel upright longitudinally extending side plates or frame members 18. It will be apparent from FIGURE 1 that the beams 17 are inclined upwardly slightly so that the conveyor 11, which receives and supports a stack or bundle of sheets S in upright position with their lower edges resting on the conveyor, feeds the sheets upwardly onto the conveyor 12 which is horizontally disposed. During this feed, the sheets are leaning rearwardly. The last bundle of sheets positioned on the conveyor 11 still has the baling bands thereon so that this bundle will serve as an a-butment against which the loose sheets may lean but, if desired, the conveyor 11 may be provided with an actual abutment or back-up plate (not shown) which contacts the last sheet and moves along with the conveyor. Obviously, the bands will be removed as the bundle progresses and another baled bundle will be positioned behind it before the bands of the preceding bundle are removed. The conveyors 11 and 12 are driven in timed relationship either intermittently or continuously. As will be apparent later, it is only necessary for the conveyor 12 to be driven at a faster linear speed than the conveyor 11 and the difference in speed governs the height of the fanned out pile on the conveyor 12.

It is desirable to feed the sheets positively into association with the conveyor 12 and, consequently, the conveyor 12 should be of such a type that it will engage the sheets at their lower edges and positively move the complete stack or bundle forwardly and upwardly toward the conveyor 12. A suitable type of conveyor for this purpose is a roller chain conveyor and this form of conveyor is shown in FIGURES 1, 2 and 2a. It consists of two succeeding sets of endless chains 21 and 22, each set extending for only part of the length of the conveyor, but, if desired, one set of chains extending the full length of the conveyor, may be provided. The chains 21 are provided in suitable number, three being shown (FIGURE 2) and are arranged in longitudinally extending, laterally spaced, parallel relationship, with their upper runs passing over the fiat support plate 23 (FIGURE 1). Similarly, the chains 22 are provided in suitable number, four being shown, with their upper runs passing over the flat support plate 24. On the support plates, as shown in FIGURE 2a on the support plate 24, bearing strips 24a are provided over which the rollers of the chains roll.

The chains 21 pass around, at the loading end of the conveyor 11, the respective sprockets 26, and at a position forwardly thereof, the respective sprockets 27. The sprockets 26 are keyed to a transverse shaft 28 (FIGURE 1) and the sprockets 27 are keyed to a transverse shaft 299 with the respective sprockets 26 and 27 in lateral a alignment. The shafts 28 and 29 are rotatably supported at longitudinally spaced positions by the beams 17. A similar sprocket shaft 30 is supported at the discharge end of the conveyor 11 by the beams 17 and carries four axially spaced sprockets 31 and a single sprocket 32, being the one on the outer far side of FIGURE 2. The chains 22 pass around the sprockets 31 of the shaft 30 and also around laterally aligning sprockets 27a which are keyed on the shaft 29 in similar laterally spaced relationship. The sprocket 32 is a driver and is keyed to the shaft 30 whereas the sprockets 31 are all idlers and are free to rotate on the shaft. An outer chain 33 is driven by the sprocket 32, and, in turn, drives a larger diameter sprocket 34 keyed n the adjacent end of the shaft 29 so as to drive the shaft 29 from the shaft 30. The drive comprising the sprocket 32, chain 33 and sprocket 34 is such that the driven shaft 29 will rotate slower than the driving shaft 30. Driving the shaft 29 also drives the shaft 28, through the chains 21, at a corresponding speed. Thus, both sets of sheet-engaging chains 21 and 22 are driven positively at a selected speed and, since they are chains, present shoulders which will engage the lower edges of the sheets and positively advance the sheets. It will be noted from FIGURE 2 that the three chains 21 fit between the respective pairs of the chains 22 since the sprockets 27 and 27a alternate, and thus the chains overlap longitudinally.

The conveyor 12 is shown best in FIGURES l, 2 and as of the endless belt type and as compirsing a series of laterally spaced, parallel belts 40 in suitable number, three being shown, with their upper runs passing over the flat supporting plate 41. At the shaft 30 the belts 40 pass around pulleys 42 keyed on the shaft, for rotation therewith, between the respective pairs of idler sprockets 31, as indicated in FIGURES 2 and 5. At the discharge end of the conveyor 12, these belts 40 pass around a drive roll 43, which may have a special friction surface, and which is keyed on a transverse shaft 44 that is rotatably supported by the upright supports 18. It will be noted that the pulleys 42 are flanged, each being provided with the pair of flanges 45 (FIGURES 5 and 7) which are dis posed at each side thereof, are serrated, and project above the associated surfaces of the upper runs of the belts 40 so as to successively engage the lower edges of the sheets as they are fed by the chains 22 onto the belts 40, as shown best in FIGURE 6. The notches between the serrations of the flanges 45 extend radially inwardly beyond the associated outer surface of each belt 40 to ensure that as the lower edges of the sheets move into the notches they do contact with the surfaces of the belts.

The shaft 30 is driven through the belts 40 at a faster speed than the shaft 29 and, consequently, the pulleys 42, which are keyed on the shaft 30, will be rotated faster than the associated sprockets 31 which are freely rotatable on the shaft 30. This results in the belt 40 moving at a faster linear speed than the chains 21 and 22 which are driven through the shaft 29. The shaft 44 and the roll 43 which it carries may be driven continuously or intermittently through a bevel gear drive 46 (FIGURE 2) from an electric motor 47. As the sheets move off the chains 22 onto the belts 40, they are centered laterally of the belts by means of the laterally yieldable resilient guides 48 (FIGURES 1 and 2) which extend forwardly from supports 49 carried by the plate 24, behind the shaft 30, in downwardly inclined and slightly converging relationship, with their forward free ends terminating slightly above the plate 40 and these guides will also exert a retarding force on the upper portions of the sheets.

The air jet unit 13, as previously indicated, is disposed adjacent the longitudinal position where the conveyor 11 overlaps the conveyor 12, as indicated best in FIGURES 1, 2 and 6. It comprises a pipe 50 which receives air under pressure from a suitable source and which is carried by one of the supports 18 but, if desired, jets could be provided at both sides of the machine. The pipe 50 is preferably an adjustable telescoping pipe with its upper or outer section turned inwardly to provide the jet nozzle 51 directed at a suitable level over the associated chain 22 at a longitudinal position slightly behind the vertical transverse plane of the shaft 30, as shown. The vertical position of the nozzle 51 is selectively adjusted so that it will be intermediate the height of the upstanding sheets S, at least up to one-half their vertical dimension or higher. This will ensure that air will be directed between adjacent sheets which will provide a flulfing or lubricating action to ensure relative sliding of adjacent sheets during the fanning-out operation.

As the sheets move off the belts 40 they are in substantially horizontal position and pressure means is provided for pressing on them and holding them substantially flat for feeding into the take-off unit 14. This pressure means is indicated as rollers 55 which are supported in laterally spaced relationship adjacent the outer edges of the outer belts 40. They may be supported by vertically adjustable arms 55a which are carried for longitudinal adjustment above the belts 40 and underlying plate 41 by means of longitudinally extending support rods 5512. Thus, the level and longitudinal positions of the rollers 55 are adjustable.

Any suitable take-off means may be provided for removing the successive sheets as they are moved by the belts 40 beyond the pressure rollers 55 at the discharge end of the conveyor 12. As one example, a vacuum takeoff unit 14 is shown in FIGURES 1, 2, 3, and 8 and comprises a vacuum drum 60 which may be provided with a series of vacuum ports 61 terminating in its peripheral surface arranged in circumferentially spaced, transverse rows across its surface. This drum is keyed on a transverse driven shaft 62 which is located forwardly of the shaft 44 and at a higher level and may be supported between the supports 18. Beyond and below the drum 60 is a transverse idler support roller 63 at a level corresponding substantially to the level of the upper runs of the belts 40. The roller 63 is carried by a shaft 64 transversely extending between and supported by the supports 18. The shaft 62 may be driven by the machine being fed with the sheets (not shown) through a train of gears 65 indicated schematically. The shafts 62 and 64 are geared together in such a manner that the surface speeds of the drum 60 and roller 63, respectively, carried thereby are equal. As the sheets pass into cooperation with the roller 63 and vacuum drum 60, the vacuum is ap lied through the drum so that each sucessive sheet is gripped to the drum and is forced beneath the drum over the roller 63 and deposited on a receiving shelf or plate 66 as the vacuum is released. From this plate 66 the sheets may be conducted in a suitable manner, if desired, to a remote point where they are to be used. Rollers are carried by arms 81 so that they normally have a yielding contact with the roller 63 at its upper side. To bridge the space between the roll 43 and the roller 63a a series of laterally spaced longitudinally extending support wires or rods 82 are provided and are supported by a transverse rod 82a.

The means for supplying the vacuum comprises a vacuum chamber 67 supported by the shaft 62 (FIGURE 8) next to the drum 60, so that the shaft will rotate relative thereto and provided with a radially projecting yoke 68 which engages a fixed transverse rod 69, extending between the supports 18, so that the chamber 67 will be restrained from rotating with the drum 60. This chamber 67 is connected to a suitable source and is provided with a lateral port 71. The drum 60 is provided with transverse passages 72 at angularly spaced intervals about its axis and communicating with the respective rows of ports 61 and the open ends of these passages are adapted to be brought successively into communication with the single port 71 as the drum 60 is rotated. The port 71 is so located that it communicates with the passage 72 which controls the lowermost row of ports 61 that will be in proper position to pick up the forwardmost or leading sheet S as it is being fed from the belts 40, over the wires 82 and then over the roller 64 beneath the rollers 80.

OPERATION OF THE MACHINE From the detailed description above, it will be apparent that the machine of this invention will operate in the following manner. The sheets will be advanced positively by the chain conveyor unit 11, the chains engaging the bottom edges of the sheets. However, the sheets will be tilted rearwardly slightly to a predetermined extent as shown in FIGURE 1. The sheets will remain in this position until they are advanced to the discharge end of the conveyor 11 and subjected to the conveyor 12. At this time, as indicated best in FIGURE 6, the lower edges of the sheets are successively engaged by the serrated flanges 45 of the pulleys 42 and are positively moved by the faster rotating pulleys and the associtaed belts 4% on which the bottom edges rest. Since the sheets are leaning rearwardly, the faster advancing force at their lower edges relative to the retarding force at their upper portions, initially created by the serrated flanges 4-5 and later by the belts 40, causes the lower portions of the sheets to advance relaitve to the upper portions and gradually moves the successive sheets from rearwardly tilted position (FIG- URE 6) to forwardly directed, substantially horizontal position (FIGURE 1) with the leading edges of the successive sheets being rearwardly and uniformly spaced from the corresponding edges of the preceding overlapping sheets. At substantially the same position where the sheets are engaged by the serrated pulleys 31, they are subjected to the air jet 51 which provides a fluffing or lubricating action to facilitate relative sliding of adjacent sheets. Thus, the sheets are fanned out for successive individual engagement by the rollers 55 and the vacuum take-off 14. At the take-off 14, the vacuum is applied in timed relationship to the rotation of the drum to successively grip the individual sheets as they are presented thereto. The machine may be loaded continuously. That is to say, the act of loading does not call for any interruption of its several actions.

It will be apparent from the above that this invention provides a simple apparatus for receiving a bundle or stack of sheets on edge and then fanning them out into a substantially horizontal position. Continuous feeding from the bundle condition of the sheets to the fanned-out horizontally movable pile is provided for without the necessity of stopping the machine for reloading. The main principle involved in the apparatus is feeding the sheets successively so that their lower portions are subjected to an advancing force while their upper portions are subjected to a relative retarding force thereby causing the advancing sheets to gradually feed into a substantially horizontal position where they are in a reverse stepped or fanned-out relationship.

Having thus described this invention, what is claimed is:

1. A machine for receiving a bundle of relatively thin, flexible sheets disposed in face-to-face contact and fanning them out, said machine comprising a driven conveyor including a loading section and a delivery section arranged in successive relationship and having longitudinally overlapping, relatively movable sheet-supporting surfaces, said loading section being arranged to receive and moveably support thereon a bundle of sheets on edge substantially upright and transversely of said conveyor with their lower edges resting on the sheet-supporting surface of said loading section; and means for advancing the lower portions of the sheets relative to the upper portion thereof to gradually move the sheets from upright positions to substantially horizontal positions in reverse stepped, fanned out order, said means including a drive train for driving the moveable sheet-supporting surface of the delivery section of said conveyor at a faster linear speed than the sheet-supporting surface of the loading section whereby to cause the sheets to be fanned out as they are moved from the loading section to the delivery section of said conveyor.

2. A machine according to claim 1, including means for providing a retarding force adjacent the upper portions of the sheets as they are moved into cooperation with the delivery section of said conveyor.

3. A machine according to claim 2 in which said retarding means comprises means for supporting the loading section of said conveyor in rearwardly inclined position so that the sheets supported thereon are tilted rearwardly.

4. A machine according to claim 1, including air jets directed against exposed side edges of the sheets for aiding in the fanning out operation.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,428,149 9/1922 De Minico 2718.1 2,884,243 4/1959 Stobb 27168 FOREIGN PATENTS 695,568 10/1964 Canadian.

RICHARD E. AEGERTER, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 198-76 

